Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower Review: The Ultimate Verdict on This Floating Mower

There’s a certain kind of lawn that turns a weekend chore into a full-blown workout. It’s not the perfectly flat, rectangular patch of grass you see in catalogues. It’s the one with the awkward slope by the patio, the winding path around the flowerbeds, and that lumpy section near the old oak tree. For years, I battled my own challenging garden with a heavy, cumbersome wheeled mower. Every turn was a three-point-turn, every slope a test of strength, and every edge a reminder of the strimming I’d have to do later. It was frustrating, time-consuming, and took the joy out of maintaining my outdoor space. This struggle for a simpler, more agile solution is what leads many gardeners, myself included, to consider a machine that doesn’t fight the terrain, but glides over it. The search for a mower that makes lawn care feel less like a battle and more like a breeze is why hover mowers exist, and why we decided to put the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower to the test.

What to Consider Before Buying a Rotary Mower

A rotary mower is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn with minimal fuss. These machines work by using a single, high-speed rotating blade that spins on a vertical axis, creating a powerful cutting action that can handle a variety of grass types and conditions. The primary benefit is their versatility. Unlike cylinder mowers which require a perfectly flat lawn for a pristine cut, rotary mowers are far more forgiving on uneven terrain. They excel at cutting longer, tougher grass and can often perform multiple functions, such as mulching (finely chopping clippings and returning them to the lawn) or collecting cuttings in a box. This versatility makes them the go-to choice for the vast majority of UK gardens.

The ideal customer for a hover-style rotary mower like this one is someone facing the challenges of an irregularly shaped, sloped, or bumpy garden. If you find yourself constantly wrestling a heavy wheeled mower around obstacles, you’ll immediately appreciate the floating, multi-directional movement. It’s also perfect for those with limited storage space, as many models, including the SimpliGlide 360, are designed to fold down compactly. However, it might not be suitable for those who demand a perfectly striped, bowling-green finish, as that’s the domain of heavier, roller-equipped cylinder or wheeled rotary mowers. Furthermore, individuals with very large, expansive lawns may find a corded electric model restrictive and might consider cordless or petrol alternatives for greater freedom.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the cutting width (in this case, 36cm) in relation to your lawn size. A wider deck covers more ground faster but is less nimble in tight spaces. Also, think about storage. The Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower’s ability to fold flat and hang on a wall is a significant advantage for those with packed sheds or garages.
• Capacity/Performance: Power, measured in Watts (W) for corded models, is a key indicator of performance. The 1800W motor on this model suggests it has the muscle for thick, dense grass. Also, evaluate the cutting height range (10-30mm here). A lower minimum height is great for a close cut, but a higher maximum is useful for the first mow of the season or for tackling overgrown areas.
• Materials & Durability: Look for a robust deck, typically made of high-impact polymer plastic, which is both durable and lightweight. A key component is the blade; a high-quality metal blade will provide a cleaner cut and last longer than plastic alternatives. We noted many users were pleased to find this model features a proper metal blade, ensuring a sharp, effective cut.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like a long power cord (10m here) reduce the need for extension cables. Consider the weight (7.6kg) for carrying and manoeuvring. Maintenance on electric mowers is generally low, but think about how easy it is to clean the underside of the deck and how simple it is to change the cutting height—a process we’ll explore in detail later.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a mower that not only cuts your grass but also fits seamlessly into your gardening routine.

While the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Flymo SimpliGlide 360

Upon opening the box, the iconic Flymo orange and grey colour scheme is immediately recognisable. The main unit feels substantial yet surprisingly light at just 7.6kg. It’s compact and gives the impression of a nimble, no-nonsense machine. Assembly is, for the most part, straightforward. It involves attaching the two-part handle to the main mower body. However, we have to agree with several user reports that the included instruction diagrams are not the clearest we’ve ever seen. One user noted they are “poorly drawn and not very clear,” a sentiment we shared as we spent a few moments deciphering the pictograms. Despite this, the process is intuitive enough that we had it fully assembled in under 15 minutes without any major hitches. The components click together with a reassuring firmness, though the plastic ‘bolts’ securing the handle are an area we immediately flagged for closer inspection during testing. The 10-metre cable feels generous and durable, a welcome feature for reaching the far corners of a medium-sized garden. Our initial feeling is that the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower is a well-conceived machine focused on lightweight usability, even if the assembly instructions could use a little refinement.

Performance In-Depth: How Does the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Handle a Real British Garden?

A mower’s true worth is only revealed out on the lawn. We put the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower through its paces on a variety of conditions, from a damp, slightly overgrown back lawn to a tricky sloped front garden with complex edges. This is where the machine’s design philosophy—and its flaws—came into sharp focus.

The Heart of the Machine: 1800W Motor and Cutting Power

The first thing you notice when you power on the SimpliGlide 360 is the confident roar of its 1800W motor. This isn’t a timid, underpowered machine. It generates a powerful cushion of air almost instantly, lifting the mower’s 7.6kg weight and making it feel even lighter. We aimed it first at a patch of lawn that had been left to grow a little too long and thick. The mower didn’t hesitate. The metal blade sliced through the dense grass cleanly and without the motor showing any signs of strain. This confirmed what we suspected from the specs: this mower has more than enough power for the typical challenges of a medium-sized domestic lawn. One user commented that they had “sewn the grass and it had grown seriously long,” and that this mower “tackled it with only a little more effort than I thought.” This mirrors our experience perfectly; it has the grunt to handle tougher jobs, making it a reliable workhorse. The 36cm cutting width strikes a great balance, wide enough to cover ground efficiently but narrow enough to navigate tighter spots. The result of this power is a very effective mulching action. The clippings are chopped into fine particles that disappear back into the lawn, providing a natural, nitrogen-rich feed. For those who dislike the hassle of emptying a heavy grass box, this is a standout benefit.

The Hover Experience: Manoeuvrability on Test

This is the core promise of a Flymo hover mower: effortless gliding in any direction. On flat, even ground, the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower is a joy to use. It moves left, right, forward, and backward with a simple push of the handle, making short work of sweeping curves and mowing around obstacles like trees and garden furniture. It’s on slopes and uneven ground where the design truly shines. We tested it on a grassy bank where a wheeled mower would be difficult and potentially unsafe to operate. The SimpliGlide 360 floated over the contours with ease, allowing for a consistent cut without scalping the high spots or missing the dips. However, we did notice what one long-time Flymo user pointed out in their review. They lamented the move away from the classic “flared skirt” design of older models. The new, more upright edges of the mower deck can occasionally dig in or resist when performing aggressive side-to-side swinging motions on a steep slope. While we didn’t find it “useless,” as the user did, we can confirm that it requires a slightly different, more forward-and-backward technique compared to the vintage models. For new users, this is a non-issue, but for brand loyalists, it’s a noticeable change in handling characteristics.

Design, Ergonomics, and a Few Questionable Choices

While the performance is strong, our deep-dive revealed some ergonomic quirks. The first is the method for adjusting the cutting height. The mower offers four heights from a very short 10mm to 30mm. To change it, you must unplug the mower, flip it over, and use the supplied plastic spanner to remove the main cutting blade. You then add or remove up to three plastic spacers between the blade and the fan before re-attaching the blade. While this system is secure and unlikely to slip, it is undeniably more cumbersome than the single-lever height adjustment found on most wheeled mowers. It’s not something you’d want to do mid-mow. The second, and more significant, issue lies with the handle design. During vigorous use, particularly when pulling the mower backward, we experienced the plastic pivot ‘bolts’ working their way loose. One user had a particularly bad experience where one fell out completely and was “mown” by the blade. This forced them to return the unit. While we ensured ours were tightly secured and didn’t have one fall out completely, we did have to re-tighten them during our testing, which is a definite design flaw. Furthermore, when folded for storage, the handle doesn’t lock or clip to the mower body. As another user cleverly demonstrated with photos of their DIY elastic cord solution, the handle tends to “flop around uncontrollably,” making it awkward to carry. These are not deal-breakers, but they are notable compromises in an otherwise well-performing machine.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring through feedback from other owners, a clear picture of the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower emerges, largely aligning with our own findings. On the positive side, the sentiment is overwhelmingly strong regarding its core function. One user summed it up perfectly: “Small, nippy and effective. Plus very reasonable.” Another praised its efficiency, stating, “I love the way it does it job in a very fast a d quick manner.” The lightness, power, and mulching capability are consistently highlighted as major wins. Many, like the user who found the 10m cord “soooo long,” appreciate the practical touches that make the job easier.

However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses squarely on build quality and design choices. The most common complaint by far is the handle assembly. “The handle part just kept falling off and falling off. Absolute waste of money!!” wrote one deeply frustrated user. Another described the plastic securing bolts as “poor,” leading to a return. This issue appears to be the mower’s primary weakness. Other criticisms include the noise and vibration, which one reviewer found “much more so than expected,” and the less-than-intuitive process for changing the cutting height. This feedback is crucial, as it paints a picture of a mower with a fantastic engine and cutting system let down by some frustrating ergonomic and component choices.

How Does the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower occupies a specific niche, but how does it stack up against other options? We’ve looked at three popular alternatives to see who might be better served by a different machine.

1. Makita DLM432Z Cordless Lawn Mower 43cm

The Makita DLM432Z is a step into a different league. It’s a cordless, wheeled rotary mower powered by two 18V LXT batteries, offering complete freedom from cables. With a wider 43cm cutting width and a large 50-litre grass box, it’s designed for medium to large lawns where a cord would be impractical. It offers superior build quality, lower noise levels, and the convenience of single-lever height adjustment. Someone should choose the Makita if they have a larger garden, value the freedom of cordless operation, and have a higher budget. It’s less suited to very steep slopes or the need for ultra-compact, hanging storage where the Flymo excels.

2. Einhell GE-CM 18/30 Li Solo Cordless Lawnmower

The Einhell GE-CM 18/30 offers a taste of cordless freedom at a much more accessible price point (note: battery and charger are sold separately). It’s a compact, lightweight wheeled mower with a 30cm cutting width, making it ideal for smaller lawns. Like the Makita, it collects clippings in a grass box (25L) rather than mulching. A user might prefer the Einhell over the Flymo if they have a small, relatively flat lawn and their primary goal is to ditch the power cord on a tight budget. Its smaller cutting width and reliance on a grass box make it less suitable for the larger, more complex lawns where the Flymo’s power and mulching are advantageous.

3. Flymo Hover Vac 270 Electric Hover Lawn Mower

This is the SimpliGlide 360’s smaller sibling. The Hover Vac 270 is also a corded electric hover mower, but it’s less powerful (1400W vs 1800W) and has a much narrower 27cm cutting width. The key difference is that it includes a 15L grass collection box, compacting and collecting clippings instead of mulching them. This is the better choice for someone with a very small, intricate lawn who prefers to collect clippings to maintain a pristine, debris-free finish. However, for anyone with a medium-sized lawn or those who dislike emptying a grass box, the more powerful motor, wider cut, and efficient mulching of the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower make it the superior option.

Our Final Verdict: A Powerful Performer with Quirks

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower is clear: it is a machine with a powerful, effective heart let down by a few frustrating design choices. The 1800W motor and sharp metal blade deliver an excellent cut, turning even long, thick grass into fine, lawn-feeding mulch. Its lightweight nature and hover action make it exceptionally manoeuvrable on the slopes, bumps, and awkward shapes that defeat traditional wheeled mowers. For anyone struggling with a challenging garden layout, this mower can genuinely transform the task of lawn maintenance from a chore into a quick, almost enjoyable activity.

However, we cannot ignore the flimsy plastic handle bolts and the awkward, blade-off height adjustment system. These prevent it from being a perfect machine. We would recommend the Flymo SimpliGlide 360 Hover Lawnmower to gardeners with small-to-medium-sized, irregularly shaped or sloped lawns who prioritise raw cutting power, manoeuvrability, and the convenience of mulching. If you are willing to be mindful of the handle bolts and rarely need to change your cutting height, you will be rewarded with a fast and effective cut. For its intended purpose, it performs admirably and represents good value, but prospective buyers should be aware of its compromises. If this sounds like the right solution for your tricky lawn, you can check the latest price and find out more right here.